By Lisa Richwine
LOS ANGELES (Multibagger) - U.S. pop megastar Taylor Swift opened up about feeling a "new sense of fear" following the discovery of a plot to attack her Vienna concert venue. She also expressed guilt for disappointing fans by canceling three shows in the city.
In her first public comments since news of the planned attack surfaced, Swift praised authorities for thwarting the plan to cause harm at Ernst Happel Stadium, where she was set to perform.
"Thanks to them, we were grieving concerts and not lives," Swift shared on Instagram.
A 19-year-old man was arrested in Austria after confessing to wanting to create a "bloodbath" at Swift's Eras Tour shows.
"Having our Vienna shows canceled was devastating," Swift said. "The reason for the cancellations filled me with a new sense of fear and a tremendous amount of guilt because so many people had planned on attending."
Swift explained that she redirected her focus to ensuring the safety of the nearly half a million fans attending her London shows, which proceeded without incident and marked the end of the European leg of the Eras Tour.
She chose not to comment earlier to avoid potentially inciting harm at future concerts.
"Let me be very clear: I am not going to speak about something publicly if I think doing so might provoke those who would want to harm the fans who come to my shows," Swift wrote. "In cases like this one, 'silence' is actually showing restraint."
The Eras Tour, the highest-grossing concert tour in history, is currently on a scheduled break and will resume with final dates from October through December in the United States and Canada.
Analysis:
Taylor Swift's revelation of the fear she experienced after the thwarted attack plot at her Vienna concert venue sheds light on the potential dangers faced by celebrities and their fans. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of security measures at public events and the need for vigilance in the face of threats. Swift's decision to prioritize the safety of her fans and continue with her tour highlights her commitment to ensuring a secure and enjoyable experience for concertgoers. This incident underscores the impact of security threats on the entertainment industry and the measures taken to mitigate risks and protect individuals.